Visit Domaine Marc Roy – tasting of the 2017 vintage

Domaine Marc Roy is one of my favorite visits in Gevrey – always lovely wines here – and June seems to be a good time to taste the wines, as they often are quite far in their development in cask and will be bottled already in the fall.

Now you probably begin to think – How many favourite producers do you have in each village Mr. Winehog? And to be honest .. quite a few – as there are many lovely producers and visits along my path in Burgundy. I do also have to cover and appreciate different styles of Burgundies (as I actually do).

The purpose to visit Domaine Marc Roy was – surprise – to taste the 2017s – and while Alexandrine gave birth to her first daughter – and second child quite recently (congratulations) – she luckily had the time to show the 2017s from cask in the beginning of June … and I was of cause interested in having this opportunity.

As I parked the car and walked towards the estate from the other side of RN974 I remembered the hot summer day one year earlier when I tasted the 2016 vintage from cask…

On June 22nd 2017 I wrote: “39 celsius … trying to find some shadow for the car on Place des Marronniers – then a short walk to Domaine Marc Roy. It was burning hot and even the short trip across RN974 was daunting mid-day – Vikings are not made for these temperatures.

At Domaine Marc Roy I found Marc Roy himself (Alexandrines father) just back from the vineyards … and then the fair Alexandrine arrived – also directly from the vineyards. Alexandrine explained that they had decided to call a day as the vines were getting a bit stressed by the high temperatures – hence no need to add further stress by trimming the top of the vines at that stage.”

This does explain and document that the harvest in 2017 was very hot at times – and that the vintage was quite solaire at times.

Back to the tasting of the 2017s ..

A bit of history about the Marc Roy estate

Alexandrine is the fourth generation at the domaine, and she is running the estate with her father, Marc Roy, who is still very active in the vineyards.

They may only produce village wines – but nevertheless this is one of my favourite estates in Burgundy – and underlines that even serious collectors can get a great buzz from a village level wine.

Alexandrine made her debut as winemaker with the 2003 vintage, and have over the years refined her wines to be some of the most vibrant, refined and transparent terroir driven Gevrey village wines made today.

I was blown away the first time I tasted her wines, and my tasting each year just confirm my passion for these wines.

Alexandrine makes 4 village reds from Gevrey and a Marsanney Blanc – all are magnificent in their own way and style. They are all pure, airy and intense but still quite light-footed and filigree for these appellations.

In 2017 the yields are back in form, after loosing 30% due to the frost in 2016. Regardless – quantities are quite limited – as this is a small estate.

To the 2017 tasting notes ….

Domaine Marc Roy, Marsannay Blanc 2017

The 2017 Marsannay Blanc is a beauty. The nose offer delicate and quite cool fruit with hints of exotic orchard fruits – white peach – and a nice mineral backbone. Good freshness and acidity – very elegant and delicate – with plenty of fruit. Hint of yeast from the lees … classic white Marsannay with a very airy fruit

(Drink from 2020) – Good+ (86 – 87p) – Tasted 06/06/2018 from CASK

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Domaine Marc Roy, Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2017

The Gevrey Vieilles Vigne is classic village quite structured with plenty of fruit – slight reduction in the nose. Hint of iron from the earthy minerality offering a lovely mid-palate fruit. Not quite as forward and exuberant as the other villages. Lovely balance – racked approx a month earlier ..

Domaine Marc Roy, Gevrey Chambertin La Justice 2017

La Justice – is the vineyard located just behind the estate. This is more forward and expressive – lovely and generous fruit – red and dark cherries are brimming from the bouquet – such a beautiful fruity nose. Hints of boysenberries, red and black currant … delightful freshness coming from the rather vivid acidity and the fresh and generous berries. A delightful wine.

Domaine Marc Roy, Gevrey Chambertin Clos Prieur 2017

The Clos Prieur is even more forward and seductive. Quite a lot of millerandage berries – hence notes of pomegranate and red currant. The fruit is vivid and playful with a tremendous complexity for this level. This is a full step up from La Justice … I’m really delighted. A wine of pleasure and refinement … almost matching the Cuvée Alexandrine in this vintage.